Wayne Leroy Harrison

Wayne Leroy Harrison

July 15, 1927 - Oct. 7, 2023

TUCSON, Ariz. - Wayne Leroy Harrison, age 96, of Tucson, Ariz. passed away Oct. 7, 2023 at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson.

Wayne was born July 15, 1927 in the 3-36 precinct of Dundy County, Nebraska on the family farm to Elmer and Cleo (Tatum) Harrison. He was raised on the farm and attended Ash Grove School. He left school during his freshman year of high school to help on the farm. During this time, Wayne and his twin brother Warren would pick corn by hand with a horse drawn wagon. This sparked a good natured competition between the two brothers.

On July 15, 1945 Wayne married Violet Marie Schmitt in the Immanuel Missionary Church parsonage in Wauneta, Neb. Wayne was drafted into the United States Army in 1945 right at the end of World War II. After he was discharged, he and Violet (Vi) returned to Nebraska and started farming. They had two daughters, Bonnie and Shirley. Wayne loved farming and usually had a few milk cows. In the winter he would overhaul engines for others. He needed a small tractor so he built one out of various parts from other vehicles. He enjoyed building that tractor and all his life he could tell you where each part came from. The weather wasn’t good for farming so after being dried out and hailed out, the family moved to the Denver, Colo. area.

His career included welding, mechanics, wiring large drilling rigs, and ended working for U-Haul as a mechanic. After retiring, his parents wanted them closer so they moved to Imperial, Neb. where he enjoyed working for Chase County, fishing and mechanics. Buying, fixing and reselling cars was almost a hobby for him. Vi passed away in 1998 and in 1999 he married Kathryn (Katie) Pinjuv.

They relocated to Arizona where they lived most of their married life. Wayne enjoyed Arizona doing new things and seeing new sites and the weather in the winter. He loved his family and was happy to have part of his close family in Arizona and always wanted to know what was happening in Nebraska and Colorado.

Wayne is preceded in death by parents; wife Vi; granddaughter Tammy; brothers Don Harrison, Warren Harrison, Will Harrison; sisters-in-law Fredora, Rose, Joan; sons-in-law Eldon Gager, Jack Graham; and infant sister Bonnie Jean.

Those left to celebrate Wayne’s life include his wife Katie; daughter Bonnie (Bob) McBride of Wauneta, Neb. and their daughter Sheri Pless and her children Zach (Brooke), Austin, Kyle, Dillon, Ryan; their son Tony (Holly) Borgman and their children Ivy, Patrick, Cleo; Wayne’s daughter Shirley Gager and son Duane (Carrie) Burton and children Daniel (Whitney) Burton, Caitlyn (Zaniel) Schanno, Graeme (Jaida) Burton and their daughter Oaklyn; Faith (Kallin) Messerer, Samuel Burton; son Keith (Heather) Burton and children Kayla, Ryan; step-daughter Laurie Meadows and her family; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.